Manchester City to begin Premier League title defence at Newcastle United

Manchester City will open their defence of the Premier League title away to Newcastle United at St James' Park on August 16.

The full list of top-flight fixtures for the 2014-15 campaign has been released, with the champions meeting runners-up Liverpool in the second round of matches at the Etihad Stadium on August 23.

Manuel Pellegrini's side will also face Arsenal and Chelsea in their opening six games, while Louis van Gaal will kick off his reign as Manchester United manager with a home clash against Swansea City at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils will play all three of the newly-promoted sides Burnley, Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City within their first six encounters of the season.

For Liverpool, new signing Rickie Lambert will face his former side Southampton on the opening day of the season at Anfield on August 16, while a trip to Tottenham Hotspur awaits the Reds at the end of the month, and the Merseyside derby against Everton on home turf will be held on September 27.

New boys Burnley will begin their Premier League campaign by hosting Chelsea at Turf Moor on the opening weekend, while Jose Mourinho's side, which will include new signing Cesc Fabregas, await a clash against champions Manchester City on September 30.

Arsenal will host Crystal Palace at the Emirates on the opening day of the season, and will then travel to Goodison Park to go head to head with Roberto Martinez's Everton.

The North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will take place on the same weekend as the Merseyside clash in September, while Manchester United will host the first derby against Manchester City on November 1.